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APPLE VALLEY, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Uponor North America (Uponor)
is expanding its manufacturing facility in Apple Valley, Minn. beginning
late spring 2015, with completion expected by Dec. 1, 2015. The $18
million investment will be used toward the renovation and expansion of
an additional 88,000 square feet to accommodate lean manufacturing and
office space, and additional manufacturing equipment that is required.

Uponor’s North American headquarters are also located in Apple Valley
and the company has a distribution center and resin-processing center
located in nearby Lakeville, Minn. By year-end, the total Twin Cities
metro area footprint will amount to 654,738 square feet on approximately
50 acres of total property.

The building expansion, in which the company will pursue LEED®
certification, is required to meet forecasted growth for its crosslinked
polyethylene (PEX) tubing in plumbing, fire sprinkler, radiant heating
and cooling and hydronic piping systems used in residential and
commercial structures.

“It's a very exciting time in the building industry, especially after
the downturn we experienced in the market just a few years ago,” says
Bill Gray, Uponor North America president. “We're seeing significant
growth in commercial and residential construction, and this expansion
will ensure we match forecasted growth and demand for our PEX systems.”

Uponor CEO and President Jyri Luomakoski adds, “Our North American
region has consistently boosted profits and seized market share, both in
the residential commercial segments. The team’s success is driven by
always doing what’s best for our customers, looking for better ways to
perform, innovation, hard work and diligent execution.”

Uponor’s decision to expand again in Apple Valley was partly due to the
cooperation of the State of Minnesota and the City of Apple Valley in
joining together in providing an attractive incentive package. Uponor
has applied for financial support from the City of Apple Valley as well
as state assistance from the Minnesota Department of Employment and
Economic Development’s Minnesota Job Creation Fund and the Minnesota
Investment Fund to assist the expansion.

“Uponor has been an outstanding job creator since opening its North
American headquarters in Apple Valley in 1990,” says DEED Commissioner
Katie Clark Sieben. “With such a large global presence, we are grateful
for the company’s decision to make further investments in Minnesota.”

Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland adds, “I'm honored that Uponor has
made a deliberate decision to expand again in Apple Valley. Uponor is a
global, innovative partner with their compass focused on a bright future
and our shared values for healthy people, planet and a profitable
economy.”

Uponor’s physical space is not the only thing that is expanding. They
have created more than 130 new jobs in the Twin Cities over the past
three years and anticipate adding a significant number of jobs as a
result of the manufacturing expansion — contributing toward the economic
development in the metro area. Uponor Group employs 4,000 employees
worldwide, with about 500 employees located in the Twin Cities.

This year marks Uponor’s 25-year anniversary in Apple Valley. Uponor
chose to continue to invest in the Twin Cities because of its location,
access to a wealth of talent and the continued support from both the
City of Apple Valley and the State of Minnesota.

Gray adds that he is grateful for the City of Apple Valley, the State of
Minnesota, the Uponor Board of Directors and Uponor CEO Jyri Luomakoski
for their confidence in Uponor North America. “Our success is a result
of connecting and building solid relationships with all our partners:
the city, the state, our employees, manufacturer representatives,
wholesale distributors, builders, architects, contractors and plumbing
professionals.”

Uponor, Inc. is an award-winning provider of plumbing, fire
safety, radiant heating/cooling, hydronic piping and pre-insulated
piping systems for residential and commercial applications. In 2014, the
company received a Best-in-Class award for Minnesota manufacturing, a
Community Impact Award for sustainability, and a Progress Minnesota
award for driving business growth and economic development. The company
was also named a Top 100 Workplace by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Uponor, Inc. employs around 500 people at its North American
headquarters in Apple Valley, Minn. For more information about Uponor,
visit www.uponor-usa.com/mediaroom.